very nice, thanks !!

Great report! Thanks for sharing it!
The food look pretty good and the expressions on peoples faces looked pretty happy!

The Chinese are laughing all the way to the bank at the (largely ineffective) western embargo.

Amazed at some of the comments in this forum, I guess mass media propaganda is working wonders to spread misconceptions of life in Iran.

What were some of you expecting? Miserable, hostile people and dark gloomy cultureless scenes?
I guess the OP is lucky to get away with his life from such an evil, dark place ....

Very nice report from what looks like a great trip.

Thanks for posting this TR. I'm currently in the very early stages of considering a trip to Iran as well.

Looks like you opted for a private tour, rather than the group tours that are advertised on key2persia's website? Did you consider any other tour companies before deciding on key2persia?

I LOVE your photos! Stunning!

Thank you, xolerf:). I try and photograph almost everything that catches my eye, so alot of photo's to sort through at the end:).

I took my trusty Canon 5D3, and used the 16-35L II, 24L II & 50L lenses.

Thanks, themapelligroup:). My guide was quite knowledgeable about the Persian history but I only remember half of what he told me, so it was good to read up on everything on wikipedia on my return.

Cheers, tsastor:). The economy is not in tip-top shape, with inflation at ~33%. My guide was saying that the govt started giving out loans for people to build houses, but alot of people ran out of money half way through construction due to high inflation, and hence you see a lot unfinished houses about:(.

Thank you, MrHalliday:).

Yes the food was pretty tasty. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming too:).

Yes, I think the Chinese get quite a good discount too with their oil imports from Iran.

I was genuinely surprised with Iran, I was expecting something closer to Saudi Arabia but was definitely closer to Turkey.

Thanks, prolixindec:). Yes, will definitely remember this for trip for a long time.

Cheers, netllama:). Yes, it was just a private tour. As it was only a short trip and I wanted flexibility with dates it was the best option for me.

After reading hauteboy's good experience with key2persia I contacted them and they were prompt and friendly with emails, and quoted a reasonable price so just stuck with them.

Thank you, drzoidberg:).

Thanks to the OP for sharing. ^

Important to break the western propaganda set.

Iran is one of my favourite travel countries.

Ever since a good friend of mine, who is born and raised in Karadsch / Karaj showed me pictures of his home town, Iran is on my toDo-List. And with all those reports from people, who have been there, the urge to get there still grows.

Stunning pictures and very good report.
And I am glad, that I am not the only one, who forgets half of the stuff told by his guide ... ;)

Great TR and photos as usual, always nice to see somewhere different.

Love your photos and TR - another stunning piece of work! The expression of the people truly brings this to life.

Did you have any issues or trouble when photographing people, especially non-posing street photography? Wasn't sure if they (particularly the women that are fully covered) are sensitive about that.

Great photos. Thanks for the report. No trouble getting the visa?

I'm always intrigued about countries that aren't normally visited...thank you for this and as a pseudo photographer myself these pictures are stunning.

Wonderful TR thanks

Fascinating TR, were there a lot of western tourists around?